Customer Reviews

The Man Who Came to Dinner [VHS]

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Monty Woolley led the kind of life that could have been filmed as fascinating biography. Born into New York wealth, he was the silver-spooned son of the owner of Manhattan's Bristol Hotel. When it came time for Woolley to attend college it was no surprise that he went to Yale, and when he switched schools it was anything but a surprise that he also attended Harvard, only to return later to the New Haven campus to become a professor of English.

Woolley always was attracted to acting, and started the Yale Drama Club while at Old Eli. His best friend at Yale was another silver spooner, the Indianan Cole Porter. The great songwriter helped jump start Woolley's acting career by using his impressive contact list.

Since Woolley was a character performer and highly distinct type with his aristocratic New York accent, which, in the manner of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, had a quasi-British sound, he was not as easy to place as authentic leading man types such as a Jimmy Stewart or John Wayne, but eventually the right role came along and Woolley's career soared, after which he would never look back. The comedy writing team of George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart found him the ideal role as the pompous broadcaster-literary critic Sheridan Whiteside in what became a resounding Broadway hit, "The Man Who Came to Dinner." It was so successful that the term became accepted in the American vernacular as someone who overstays his welcome. The role was modeled after the articulate and insufferably egomaniacal New York literary critic Alexander Wollcott.

Thankfully, when it came time to cast the film version of the acclaimed play Woolley did not become victimized as have so many great performers who popularized roles on Broadway, and was named to star. He won a New York Film Critics Circle "Best Actor" award for his dazzling portrayal of an incurable egomaniac with a penchant for devastating insults.

Woolley, playing the internationally renowned man of the world Sheridan Whiteside, slips on the porch of the couple hosting him for lunch the day he is to deliver a lecture in a small Ohio town. His injury results in Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke putting him up, after which he takes over their previously tranquil home and turns it upside down. Mitchell incessantly fumes over not being able to get rid of Woolley.

Woolley's comedic skills are focused in the supreme area of timing, of which he is an accomplished master. He is reminiscent of Jack Benny in one basic respect; Benny would sometimes draw his biggest laughs as a conduit receiver rather than the deliverer of a punch line. Woolley reacts to comments with looks of bemusement, scorn, ridicule, or supreme joy, depending on the person or the occasion.

One of this sidesplitting film's peak moments comes when Woolley's long suffering nurse, veteran character performer Mary Wickes, decides she has had enough. After enduring endless insults and boorish commands to action from Woolley, she delivers a stinging monologue, telling him she is quitting not only this case, but nursing altogether. Her final broadside to Woolley is that, "If Florence Nightingale ever had the misfortune to take care of you, she would have forgotten about founding the Red Cross, would have quit nursing, and would have married Jack the Ripper." When she storms away Woolley exudes his broadest smile of the film. He clearly enjoys receiving a stinging insult at least as much as delivering one, if not more so.

The selfish Woolley seeks to prevent his secretary Bette Davis from marrying local newspaper editor and publisher Richard Travis. He spawns a scheme to keep her and break up the romance by promoting the play Travis has written to Ann Sheridan, who has never looked more glamorous in a role said to be modeled after British stage acting great Gertrude Lawrence. Reginald Gardner appears briefly in a role reflective of British stage legend Noel Coward, while Jimmy Durante flies in from Hollywood to visit his friend Woolley. His character was said to have been modeled after Harpo Marx, right down to his dogged persistence in chasing after women. At one point, egged on by Woolley, he seals the lid on an Egyptian mummy case, holding Sheridan captive, after which he flies her away in his private plane.

Director William Keighley as well as the screenwriting twin brother Epstein team are shrewd enough to not tamper with the winning Kaufman-Hart formula of keeping the action perpetually moving through a series of quick sequences and interruptions by fascinating characters. The breakneck pace never slackens. Animals are even thrown into the picture as the world famous Woolley is gifted at one point with an octopus and at another with penguins.

The talented Woolley would receive two Oscar nominations during his career for "The Pied Piper" and "Since You Went Away." As the real life best friend of Cole Porter at Yale he was recruited to play himself opposite Cary Grant as Porter in the cinema biography of the songwriter, "Night and Day."

A wonderful little movie in which Monty Woolley gives his classic interpretation of Sheridan Whiteside, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and stayed and stayed.....Bette Davis should be admired for taking the secondary role of secretary Maggie Cutler and for playing her so moderately and so well. Davis was thought by many to be misguided in accepting the decidedly secondary role, but in fact she gives one of her most attractive and unselfish performances - wry and witty, without demeaning herself in the rather stodgy romantic interludes. Reginald Gardiner is brilliant in his role as Carlton while Ann Sheridan is in fine faddle as Lorraine. Ruth Vivian is eerie as the formerly axe-wielding Aunt Harriet and Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke are the perfect flabbergasted hosts. Jimmy Durante pops in to cause assorted mayhem and sing at the piano: "Did you ever get the feeling that you wanted to go? And still get the feeling that you wanted to stay"? It may not make much sense, but it's fun. Originally, the great John Barrymore was to be cast as Whiteside, but he was sick and had trouble with his lines (he died in 1942); Laura Hope Crews was originally going to play Billie Burke's role but she died suddenly during production. Witty lines and great performances make this a special delight from 1941.

Incredibly nasty / fun comedy about a lecturer who is injured while visiting the home of a well-to-do socialite and must spend Christmas in her home convalescing. Monty Woolley is a scream as Sheridan Whiteside - you'll hate it when the action drifts away from his battles with long-suffering nurse Mary Wickes to the goings-on of the other characters of the film (his character, as many are aware, was based on playwrights Kaufman and Hart's mutual "friend," Alexander Woollcott). Davis plays her part as Maggie, Sheridan's "secretary" of sorts, quite well, although the box of the film is rather deceiving because the film could hardly be called a Bette Davis picture (although if I'm not mistaken, she received billing equal with Woolley's in the credits) - she plays what could almost be called a supporting role. And this is one of the few films where, try though she may, she just can't steal the picture from the male lead, in this case Woolley. One more thing - the film has a Christmas theme, yet during Christmastime you'd be lucky to find this film on any TV station . . I would think this film, in today's culture, would fit in more with the nasty / bothersome way most people view the Holidays in today's society. If I may speak for myself, the only performer that got on my nerves a tad was Jimmy Durante as a friend of Whiteside's - he's not exactly what you'd call subtle. But an enjoyable outing nonetheless, and well worth the price for the classic film fan.

Monty Woolley stars as Sheridan Whiteside, a critic with a gift for insults and getting his way, who falls on the porch of the home of a family eager to meet him. He must stay with them while he recuperates, and they discover that having him around isn't the honour they thought it would be as he turns their house and life upside down. Bette Davis stars as his patient assistant who falls in love with a local would-be playwright, and Ann Sheridan stars as a two-faced actress in search of a good role. The performances are all excellent. Woolley blusters and puts down everyone with great style (especially his nurse, Mary Wickes), and Davis is excellent in a straight role that helps to keep the film from becoming too much of a farce and gives it some heart. The dialogue and one-liners are terrific, and the whole movie reminds you of what movie comedies used to be like.

I've loved Warner Bros. "The Man Who Came To Dinner", from 1942 for years now and find that with each screening I appreciate different parts of this famous story. Whether it be the totally obnoxious and overbearing Sheridan Whiteside played to perfection by Monty Woolley , the vicious but nevertheless hilarious one liners heaped on Whiteside's unfortunate "hosts" by their inwelcome "guest", the refreshing performance by a very subdued Bette Davis, or the great comedy work by the likes of Ann Sheridan, Reginald Gardiner and a young Mary Wickes , you are guaranteed a splendid viewing time when we see just exactly the type of mayhem an unwelcome house guest staying for Christmas can cause. Based on the famous George S. Kaufman - Moss Hart Broadway production which also starred Monty Wooley this film is not your traditional Christmas Film however its rapid fire dialogue, at times absurd situations and the superb supporting cast help make this film a treasure that I enjoy each Christmas in among more traditional seasonal fare.

We've all expereinced at one time or another the house guest from hell and this is exactly what the unsuspecting Ohio couple Ernest and Daisy Stanley (Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke), get when famed writer, radio star, and public speaker Sheridan Whiteside (Woolley), on a lecture tour of the mid west reluctantly agrees to have dinner with them in between speaking engagements. Forced by his super efficent personal assistant Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis),to accept the kind invitation Whiteside despises his "admirers", and disaster strikes when he slips on the icy steps of the Stanley's house and is forced to stay with them until he recovers. What unfolds then is sheer bedlam as Whiteside takes over the entire Stanley house and makes the family afraid to even be seen in their own home. He strikes terror into his harrassed nurse (Mary Wickes), and upsets Mr. Stanley by inviting an endless stream of assorted low lifes and strangers into the home as his guest. The arrival of a rather mean looking Octopus and four very active penguins also adds to the general madness. To relieve his boredom of being stuck in this "backwater", for Christmas Whiteside also starts to interfer in the romantic life of Maggie who strikes up a loving relationship with local newspaper man and aspiring writer Bert Jefferson (Richard Travers). Fearing that he might loose Maggie as his assistant Whiteside lures flamboyant actress Lorraine Sheldon (Ann Sheridan) to the Stanley house with the promise of a great part in a supposedly terrific new play written by the young man. Hoping to get this great part for herself Lorraine arrives and proceeds to try and lure the handsome young man away from Maggie. The unexpected arrival of lively writer Beverly Carlton (Reginald Gardiner), who is very fond of Maggie however puts a spanner in the works of Whiteside's devious little plan and he manages to sidetrack Lorraine by imitating a wealthy Millionaire who supposedly wants to marry her. Meanwhile fed up with the acid tongued, self centred existence led by Whiteside Maggie resigns as his assistant and starts to make plans for her future. All is saved however when Lorraine is conveniently locked in an Egyptian Mummy case and shipped off by Whiteside's eccentric friend Banjo (Jimmy Durante), and Bert declares his undying love for Maggie. Just as it seems then that Whiteside might have a heart and is ready to leave the harrassed Stanley's in peace when leaving he again slips on their front steps and is carried back into their house injured again!

A crazy, improbable comedy with dialogue that runs a hundred words to the minute is what you get in "The Man Who Came To Dinner", and it is just as great a success as the original play. Directed with rapid fire swiftness by William Keighley he allows all the cast to shine in their unique roles. Monty Woolley of course dominates the proceedings and the Sheridan Whiteside role certainly is a plum for any mature actor. Woolley combines the right elements of sarcastic venom with some of the greatest lines to create a truly memorable character. John Barrymore was first choice for the movie role but his physical decline made it impossible for him to continue. Bette Davis appears to take very much a secondary role here but she is refreshingly free of alot of the usual Davis mannerisms here and delivers a delightful performance as the efficient assistant who can see right through Whiteside's machinations. Ann Sheridan in the colourful role of gold digging actress Lorraine Sheldon once again proves what a talented comedy actress she was and her glamour combined with the egocentic character she plays really adds to the humour of the piece. Billie Burke plays the usual fluttery character that was her trademark and Grant Mitchell as the stressed head of the Stanley household excels in particular when he is trading barbs with Whiteside about him invading his home. Mary Wickes also shows her comic promise in the role of Whiteside's much put upon nurse and her departing line about quitting the nursing profession after this experience is one of the best in the film. All this comic highjinks is wrapped up in a beautiful production that was one of Warner Bros. biggest efforts for 1942. Made right in the middle of Bette Davis' golden years as the Queen of Warners, when she was making films like "Now Voyager", and "The Little Foxes", this effort could never be called your typical Bette Davis effort. Davis urged Warner Bros. to purchase the Broadway property as a joint vehicle for John Barrymore and herself which of course never happened. Billed first she nevertheless takes second place to the bombastic character of Sheridan Whiteside but her great screen presense is evident in every scene she appears in.

If you are seeking a Christmas based film that incorporated stinging one liners and crazy situations then go no further than the classic "The Man Who Came To Dinner". Many theatre versions of the famous story have been performed over the years however this great film captures the play's intent beautifully when alot of the personlities the characters where based on where still very much alive. These sly references to then current celebrities may have lost a bit of their relevance in the 21st Century however you are sure enjoy the film for the great piece of classic entertainment it is. Sit down and enjoy Christmas with the guest no one would wish on their worst enemy in Warner Bros. hilarious "The Man Who Came To Dinner".

The holidays are times for fun and laughter. Monty Wooley, Ann Sheridan and Jimmy Durante deliver just that in The Man Who Came To Dinner. This movie adaptation of the stage play comes off well, with insanity breaking loose, as Sheridan Whiteside (Woolley), confined to his guest's home, receives all manner of guests and gifts, including a flock of penguins and an octopus. Great fun!

This is a little known or publicized classic. Written by the same authors as the best of the Marx Brothers movies(George Kaufman and Moss Hart). I stumbled upon it one night on a cable network and it instantly caught my attention and kept it. A marvelously written comedy. Witty dialogue at every turn. ENJOY!

Hysterical. Well written. A pleasure from the first frame to the closing scene. Definitely worth owning--the witty dialogue is so rich you catch more of the humor every time you watch it!

Way back, long ago, well not too long, but it seems long enough to me now at the age of 40, I was in the onstage play "The Man Who Came To Dinner" in highschool. I played the "glamorous actress", Lorraine Sheldon...quite a meaty part, indeed. We were a huge hit, and this is one of the many shows I've done that clearly sticks out in my mind as one of the most fun to do. The character was a wonderful opportunity for a rather shy around guys young woman to really stretch as an actress, and it gave me a lot more confidence as a young woman and a young actress as a result of my performance. I do miss the stage, and hope to go back someday. This is a wonderfully written script, and the movie is delightful...these kinds of movies simply are not made anymore, where you see true comedic genius in all of its forms, without every other word being one that rates an R! If you're an old movie collector, this one's for you, and if you're doing the show in high school or college, you must watch this first! No matter whom you are playing, it will be invaluable to you and the entire cast you are working with as a tool to better capture that time; that long ago age of theater and movie history. Enjoy!

There are not enough good things to say about this charming film! Monty Wooly is divine, Billie Burke is adorable, and what could be said about Bette Davis? Witty, and amusing, this film has it all: A hilarious plotline with many twists and turns, a catalog of wacky characters, and enough one liners to keep you laughing until next Christmas! If you don't love this movie, you obviously don't know a good time.